INSTALLATION SUPPORT
Upgrading connection rods and pistons requires disassembly of your engine, specialty measuring tools, and precise assembly practices. The following information is supplied as tips for your connecting rod installation and not intended to be used as a complete install guide.

Engine assembly should always be performed by a trained technician with professional tools.


TOOLS & SUPPLIES
Prepare a clean indoor work surface such as a stainless bench. Unpack your rods, remove the rod bolts, and split the bearing caps from the rods. Use brake cleaner with a lint-free rag to remove all rust inhibitor oils from the surface, threads, journals, and bushings.

> Socket wrench
> 11mm 12 point socket
> Torque wrench (quality & calibrated)
> Dial bore gauge
> Secured bench vise
> Bolt stretch gauge (optional)
> Thread tap/thread gauge (optional)
> ARP bolt lube (supplied with rods)
> Marker
> Carb cleaner
> Lint-free rags

VERIFY CLEARANCES
All critical clearances should be measured and recorded. Label each rod, bearing set, crankshaft journal, and wrist pin 1-6 with a marker to keep track of your measurements. Using a vice, assemble the rod with the rod bearings, rod bolts, and ARP assembly lube. Torque the rod bolts using the torque procedure. Make sure the printed numbers on the rod and rod cap match and are installed on the same side.

Using a quality bore gauge and micrometer, record the following measurements:

> Wrist pin diameter
> Wrist pin bushing bore
> Wrist pin clearance (Bore minus diameter | Target: .0003"-.0005")
> Rod journal (w/bearings)
> Crankshaft journal diameter
> Journal clearance (Bore minus diameter | Target: .0015"-.0025")
> Measure clearances with a quality bore gauge and micrometer

Do not measure with a Plastigauge type product.

TORQUE PROCEDURE
Accurate rod bolt pre-load is required to ensure proper bore clearances and roundness of the connecting rod big end for both measuring and final installation of your connecting rods. Before you begin, clean the rod mating surfaces and remove all packaging oil from the threads and rod bolts.

STEP 1 -PRE-TORQUE:
Before you final stretch your rod bolts, it's important the bolt and rod threads are fully seated.

> Install rod bearings
> Align matching printed numbers on rod and cap
> Assemble cap to rod
> Apply ARP assembly lube to bolt threads
> Hand tighten bolts
> Using a quality calibrated torque wrench, torque bolts to 50 ft/lbs
> Break bolts loose, and again torque to 50 ft/lbs
> Break bolts loose, then torque to 50 ft/lbs one final time


STEP 2 -FINAL TORQUE:
The final torque spec is .006" (stretch gauge) or 50 ft/lbs (torque wrench) with ARP assembly lube.

Stretch Gauge
> Loosen bolt and zero stretch gauge
> Tighten bolt to .006" stretch
> Loosen second bolt and zero stretch gauge
> Tighten second bolt to .006" stretch

Torque Wrench
Loosen bolt
> Tighten bolt to 50 ft/lbs
> Loosen second bolt
> Tighten second bolt to 50 ft/lbs

IMPORTANT NOTES:
> Do not exceed rod bolt stretch/torque. If bolt stretch is exceeded, replace rod bolts with new ones.
> Do not install bolts dry or with any other lubricant than the supplied ARP assembly lube.